Lady Tigers ‘Piked’ in District Semis 47-43

By Terry Futrell

For the first 33 minutes of the District 3-1A semifinal match between the Sunbright Lady Tigers and the Oneida Lady Indians, Oneida’s Kelsey Pike, district MVP, must have felt like she had an added layer of skin. Sunbright’s Addison Shannon did a masterful job of guarding Pike, sticking like glue wherever Pike maneuvered on the court. During that time, Pike was held to only two baskets and a total of nine points.

Then, disaster struck. Shannon fouled out of the game with three minutes remaining in overtime and Sunbright leading 37-36. Like a genie released from a bottle, Pike found new freedom to use her exemplary skills as she took over the game, scoring eight additional points in the final three minutes to lead Oneida to a 47-43 upset victory. Oneida moves on to face Coalfield for the championship Monday evening, while Sunbright will face Wartburg in the consolation game.

Oneida took an early 11-7 lead in the first quarter. Sunbright’s smothering defense took over in the second quarter and held the Lady Indians scoreless, while Casie Newport and Alexis Northrup put 10 additional points on the board to give Sunbright a 17-10 halftime lead.

Play in the third quarter was much the same, with the Lady Indians outscoring Sunbright 10-8 and cutting Sunbright’s lead to 25-21.

Oneida’s offense came alive during the fourth quarter, with Raylie Bush and Pike each scoring five points. Sunbright connected on only two field goal attempts in the quarter and regulation play ended with the score tied 34-34.

Oneida took the lead 38-37 with three minutes remaining in overtime and never looked back, defeating the Lady Tigers 47-43. Lindsey Brown scored five points for the Lady Tigers during overtime, and Newport added four points. But it was Pike who dominated the overtime period, scoring two baskets and shooting 4-4 at the free throw line.

For Sunbright, Newport led all scorers with a game-high 22 points. Pike led Oneida with 17 points.

Oneida’s Kelsey Pike drives through Sunbright’s Addison Shannon and Alexis Northrup for a shot. Pike led an Oneida comeback for a 47-43 victory over the Lady Tigers. [Photo by Terry Futrell]